Governor talk na do, stop the death traps

Like a prophet, the Niger Delta Report sounded a warning on dangers posed by roadside markets in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State. The article which was published last Friday lamented that buyers and sellers sit on a keg of gunpowder and roam a minefield on each market day.

On Saturday, a day after the publication, the keg of gunpowder exploded and the mines detonated. Tragedy occurred in Swali market, located along Swali Road, Yenagoa. A trailer rammed into the roadside market, killing one person and injuring seven others.

The trailer with number plate, XY 259 FST, also destroyed four tricycles and goods on display at the market. The list obtained by the Niger Delta Report from security agents at the scene of the accident showed that three male adults, three female adults and two female children, were the casualties.

Bystanders, market women and men as well as sympathisers cried and discussed the unfortunate accident. The trailer, carrying an escavator, was descending the Swali bridge when the acident occurred. The unidentified driver lost control of the heavy-duty truck because of brake failure.

The dead victim of the crash, whose name was given as Edem Okon, was dragged by the vehicle more than 100 metres before the driver eventually rammed into the market.

Okon would not have died. Nobody would have been injured if the government had heeded the warning that roadside markets should be relocated to other safe places. In fact, even if the government had acted immediately by moving into such markets to enforce “operation leave the road”, the death and injuries would have been avoided.

But how much does the government care? How much does it value the lives of its subjects? As far as relations of government functionaries are not among the casualties, who gives a damn? Instead of remedying the situation, persons who pose to be government agents collect dues from traders who occupy the road to make a living.

Undoubtedly, similar accidents would continue to happen until the ministries of environment, trade and investment and other relevant agencies of the government take steps to build befitting markets in the capital city or take effective actions to ensure that the cramped markets do not overflow to the roads.

Following the tragedy, some residents of Yenagoa metropolis, have asked the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, who is fondly referred to as “talk na do governor”, to redeem his promise of building ultra-modern markets in Yenagoa.

They insisted that traders would confine themselves in such modern markets instead of selling on the roadsides that expose them to risks of accident. A resident, who identified herself simply as Patience further lamented the conditions of the existing markets in Yenagoa.

Indeed, the government does not need much prodding from its subjects to build modern markets and regulate commercial activities. It is the right thing to do to enhance the capital status of Yenagoa, remove environmental hazards and stop avoidable accidents caused by roadside markets. For now, Yenagoa seems to be the only capital city in the country without a regulated, organised and well-mapped out market.

Until the government responds to the yearnings of its subjects, the dangers will continue to loom and the warnings of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and environmental experts will continue to be relevant.